Table of Contents
The Endangered Species Act1
Pros Of The Endangered Species Act2
Biodiversity and The Endangered Species Act3
Cons of the Endangered Species Act4
Authors Stance5
Conclusion6

The Endangered Species Act was established in 1973. The purpose of the act is to protect endangered species along with the habitat in which their life depends. The Endangered Species Act lists a species as endangered if it is likely to become extinct through all or a portion of its range. The act also protects “threatened” species that are likely to become endangered in the future if something is not done to protect them. (Endangered Species Act, n,d.) In the book Clashing Sides, Taking Views a controversial debate has arisen over whether the Endangered Species Act should be strengthened or left as it is. (Easton, 2008) In this paper the author will examine both sides of the issue thoroughly. After examining both sides of the issue the author will make a determination on which side of the issue holds more merit.

The Endangered Species Act has had many positive influences in its more than 35 years of existence. Hundreds of breeds of species have been saved from going extinct. Millions of acres of fish and wildlife habitats have been protected from technological advances. (Keeping the Endangered Species Act, n.d.) To date, 98% of the endangered species that have been put under the care of the Endangered Species Act are still in existence today. (Easton, 2008) If the Endangered Species Act was not in place then it is more than likely that these magnificent animals would not be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy for generations to come. Not only does the Endangered Species Act protect the animals but it is likely protecting people as well. That is because the Endangered Species Act is helping maintain biodiversity.

Biodiversity is the number and variety of species within the ecosystem they occupy, (Cunningham, 2008, p.96) Biodiversity is important if you want to have a healthy ecosystem. In the ecosystem each species is highly dependent on another species for survival. An incident at Yellowstone Park showed what could happen if a key species is removed from an ecosystem. The park began to notice that the ecosystem was having a lot of problems. The Elk Population was over browsing. Smaller mammal populations were dwindling and plant health and diversity was on the decline. They believed that this was because of the eradication of the areas main predator, the grey wolf. They wanted to introduce grey wolves back into Yellowstone Park to see if it would balance out the ecosystem. Their goal was successful. The wolves prey on the Elk in turn helping reduce the elk population. This helped eliminate the over browsing and returned plant health and diversity. The Elk Carcass left behind by the grey wolf also helps feed predators. Finally, the wolves have also decreased the population of the coyote which was preying on the small mammals. As you can see all the original problems that Yellowstone Park was experiencing was solved by integrating the grey wolf back into the ecosystem. (Cunningham, 2008, page 95) In the future it is possible that humans could face the extinction of a key species that is important to our very survival. “Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson estimated that Earth is currently losing something on the order of 30,000 species per year — which breaks down to the even more daunting statistic of some three species per hour.” (Eldredge, 2001) Those numbers should be a wakeup call. We humans depend on biodiversity like any other species. All of these species that are becoming extinct could be among many that are critical to our survival. Therefore, we should do what...

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Date: April 4, 2013
Background Statement:
The EndangeredSpeciesAct of 1973 provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found and deals with the perseveration of wildlife which is threatened with extinction. The U.S Fish and Wildlife services is the government agency entrusted with the enforcement of it provision.
Also ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. The law also prohibits any action that causes a taking of any listed species of endangered fish or wildlife. The EndangeredSpeciesAct was enacted by Congress in 1973.
Under the ESA, the federal government has the responsibility to protect endangeredspecies that are likely to become extinct throughout all or a large portion of their range and threatened species that are likely to become endangered in the near future. The EndangeredSpeciesAct has lists of protected plant and animal...

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EndangeredSpecies and the Impacts on Life
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I. Issue Analysis
Poaching is the illegal shooting, trapping, or taking of game or fish from private or public property. People intentionally target animals for reasons such as trophies, medicinal usage, and also for religious practices. Furs, tusks, or even the animal itself is sold illegitimately on the black market. The black market is the illegal traffic or trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities (Poaching American…).
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...Introduction
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Trade of Animals
The animals are becoming sort of trades in poor places around the world, where no local markets to deter the hunters. In addition, those animals could be a kind of luxury food in rich countries. That is to say illegal hunting refers to how it is important is the money today even if at the expense of animals. Duffy writes that ''The size of even legal international wildlife trade is staggering; worth approximately US$160 billion per year, it is one of the most valuable businesses in the world'' (Duffy, 2010, p.17).
Species
Donnellan points out that "Today there about 5,000 endangered...

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This activity will require you to take a close look at the 1973 EndangeredSpeciesAct (ESA), which establishes a program for conserving endangered and threatened species and their habitats. For a full copy of the law, see the EPA website.
The questions below must be answered and submitted on Moodle. All responses must be in your own words.
PART 1: Visit the National Wildlife Foundation website to answer the questions below regarding the ESA (http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Understanding-Wildlife-Conservation/Endangered-Species-Act.aspx)
*Under the ESA, what three things does the federal government have a responsibility to protect?
The ESA has to protect endangeredspecies - species that are likely to become extinct throughout all or a large portion of their range, threatened species - species that are likely to become endangered in the near future and critical habitat - vital to the survival of endangered or threatened species.
*What is the difference between “listed” and “candidate” species?
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